HERFS/AUTUMN BONUS TYDSKRIF 2026

Dung scoring Dung scoring is one of the simplest and most effective tools a feedlot manager can use to keep lambs healthy and profitable. By looking at the consistency and shape of dung, we get a clear picture of how well animals are digesting their feed. Regular dung checks are also one of the earliest ways to pick up rumen problems like acidosis. Soft, foamy, or sour-smelling dung can be a warning sign that the rumen environment is under pressure. Catching this early allows the manager to slow down, concentrate on build-up, adjust roughage levels, or add buffers before serious losses occur. Because acidosis reduces feed conversion and can kill lambs, dung scoring becomes a direct line of defence to protect both animal health and profit. Dung also tells us a lot about how consistently the feedlot system is running. If dung scores are steady across pens, it usually means feed mixing and delivery are being done properly. However, when some groups show loose dung and others don’t, it can point to uneven mixing, sorting at the trough, or irregular feeding times. In this way, dung is not just feedback from the sheep, but also a reflection of how well the management team is sticking to routine. In the feedlot, it is important to have a dung consistency of a soft serve ice cream for optimal feed fermentation. Lastly, dung scoring can even help with broader animal health. Worm burdens or other parasites often cause loose or green dung, even if the ration hasn’t changed. Linking dung observations with growth performance and health records gives managers a fuller picture, helping them time deworming and treatments more accurately. In short, dung scoring is a low- cost, but powerful daily habit that guides ration adjustments, prevents health issues, and keeps the feedlot running profitably. Abattoir visits provide insights such as rumen damage and parasite infections like wireworm and tapeworm. Water trough scoring Water is the cheapest feed ingredient in a feedlot, but also the most overlooked. Scoring water troughs daily is just as important as scoring dung, because clean, cool water drives feed intake and ultimately growth. When sheep have access to enough good-quality water, they eat more, digest better, and convert feed more efficiently. Even a small slip in water supply, whether from dirty troughs, low flow, or hot water, quickly shows up as reduced intake and weaker growth. That makes water trough scoring a key part of daily management. Daily checks should focus on a few basics. Cleanliness is the first – mud, manure, or leftover feed in the trough not only puts sheep off drinking, but also grows bacteria. Flow rate is another critical point; sheep should never be waiting for water, so a quick check ensures pipes and ball valves are working properly. Water temperature also matters – in hot weather, shaded troughs help keep water cool and encourage higher intake. Algae and mud contamination are common issues in feedlots, especially where water stands for too long, so managers must keep troughs scrubbed and flushed regularly. Figure 6: Examples of dung consistency scores Figure 8: Sheep reaching through fence for cleaner water Figure 7: Abatoir visits reveal rumen damage and parasite infections (e.g., wireworm, tapeworm) www.agribonus.co.za Herfs/Autumn 2026 BONUS 141